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All eyes are on Vaibhav Suryavanshi as the 15-year-old batting sensation is set to create history for India. The youngster is all set to become India’s youngest international cricketer when he takes the field against Ireland in Belfast on June 26 ahead of the team’s tour of England for the T20 series.
However, Vaibhav’s first overseas tour will be a little different from his peers. Since he is only 15 years old, he has to follow some special safety rules in England. Before UK tour, Kapil Dev gave a big statement on Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Special rules for Vaibhav Suryavanshi on England tour
Under ICC and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) rules, players under the age of 16 are not allowed to use adult changing rooms. Therefore, Vaibhav Suryavanshi will have separate changing facilities at all the venues during the England tour.
However, the teenage batting sensation can still sit in the Indian cricket team dressing room during matches, attend team meetings and be a part of all team activities, but he will have to use a separate room while changing before and after games during the five-match T20I series.
Well, these rules are new to Indians but are very common in the United Kingdom, as shared by The Guardian. Additionally, Vaibhav’s parents are also expected to travel with him throughout the tour to make things more comfortable for the teen.
ECB is working closely with BCCI to make special arrangements
The ECB said in a statement quoted by the Guardian: “This is an ICC event, so their security procedures are active, as they have jurisdiction. Any security concerns that may arise during the event can (in some circumstances) be managed by the ICC.
Additionally, the ECB Safe Hands policy applies at all times. The cricket regulator is in touch with the Team Liaison Officer (TLO) of the Indian team to discuss the player’s needs and expectations during his stay in the UK.
The statement further reads, “Each county security officer for the relevant cricket venue is working closely with the team liaison officer to ensure that venue protocols and arrangements (particularly changing room environments) are understood and followed. This is conducted through a security risk assessment.”
ECB makes a rare exception for Vaibhav Suryavanshi as parents allow him to stay with him
Meanwhile, the same report also suggested that the Vaibhav Suryavanshi family will be staying in the same hotel with the Indian team, which is usually not allowed, but an exception has reportedly been approved due to the left-hander’s age. These special arrangements have been made for Vaibhav because he has already become one of the biggest names in world cricket.
The ECB said, “It is our understanding that the player’s parents will be traveling with him at all times. They are staying in the same hotel, which is outside of normal protocols, but agreed to on occasion due to his age. This additional measure gives us further confidence that he has family members who can provide an additional level of support and care.”
Well, India will play two T20 matches against Ireland before traveling to England for three ODIs and five T20 matches next month.